The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted initial non-compensable evaluations for low back strain prior to June 16, 2017, and a 10% evaluation since then. Claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and facial swelling/numbness were remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability or degenerative joint disease of the left knee that was at least as likely as not incurred in service. The Veteran's low back strain evaluations were denied due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by service, and claims for other conditions were remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, low back strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18140196
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18140196.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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